With less than five per cent of its residents having moved out of the area in 2013-2014, Whittlesea Council appears to be the place you never leave once you get to know it.
Michael Kouranos is an example, having stayed in Beveridge ever since he settled there with his family 28 years ago.
“There was an opportunity to get a nice block of land. I think it was also a throwback to the village mum and dad came from in Greece, the country-like atmosphere,” Kouranos, 36, told Neos Kosmos.
He once moved to Thomastown until he realised the grass was greener back in Beveridge, 40 kilometres north-east of Melbourne’s CBD.
“The city of Whittlesea definitely looks after its residents. The roads are clean and the area we live in is looked after well. It’s peaceful and tranquil compared to suburbia,” he says.
According to recent data compiled by Australian Bureau of Statistics, Whittlesea Council has the lowest departure rates in Melbourne at 4.8 per cent, and its population grew by 8,130 over the past 12 months, placing the locality among the ten fastest-growing local government areas in Australia.
For Michael’s father, the family have the perfect refuge, away from the hustle and bustle of the modern city.
“We own a 20-acre block. I never liked traffic and the noise, it was better for my kids to grow up in a place where they had room to play,” says John.
“Whittlesea for me is one of the best councils and we love the area. It’s magical in terms of natural beauty,”
But before you rush to join the Kouranos family you should be aware of one downside”, says Michael.
“In this day and age, where connecting with people is so important, we still do not have broadband services, so we have to rely on mobile data, but the mobile reception isn’t perfect either.”